The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas · Page 27

THE SAUNA JOURNAL SPORTS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2001 D5 BEASLEY • PRO FOOTBALL Packers acquire Beasley Former Kansas State quarterback among 12 free agents signed By The Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. — The g reen Bay Packers agreed to rms with 12 free agents Tuesday, including two quarterbacks and four defensive linemen. Quarterbacks Jonathan Beasley of Kansas State and Cleo Lemon of Arkansas State, wide receiver Jason Franklin of Delta State, Arizona guard Marques McFadden and tackle Kevin Jordan of Fresno State were the offensive free agents. DeAngelo Lloyd, an end from Tennessee, joined tackles Thabiti Lockhart of Fresno §t.ate, Roosevelt Brown of Texas A&M-Kingsville and California's Jacob Waasdorp on the defensive line. Linebacker Donte Curry of Morris Brown and Central Florida safety Damion Demps also signed with Green Bay as did kicker Bret Sterba of William & Mary Beasley started every game for Kansas State last season, completing 156 of 313 passes for 2,636 yards and 17 touchdowns. Panthers CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers signed punter Todd Sauerbrun on Tuesday and released Ken Walter, whose average was second- to-last in the NFL last season. Sauerbrun played for the Kansas City Chiefs last season but was waived in March. Chicago drafted him in the second roimd in 1995 and he spent five seasons with the Bears before signing with Kansas City as a free agent last year. '; Walter was Carolina's punter for four seasons but struggled in 2000 with an average of 38.4 yards. Sauerbrun's average was 44.6, seventh best in the league. Bears LAKE FOREST lU. — Running back James Allen signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract Tuesday with the Chicago Bears. AUen, a four-year NFL player, replaced Curtis Enis last September as the featured back and led Chicago rushers with 1,120 yards. This year, Allen wiU be challenged for the starting job by rookie Anthony Thomas of Michigan, a second-roimd pick in Saturday's draft. Also Tuesday the Bears added three free agents: tackles Rick Gilliam of West Virginia and Ryan Ward of New Hampshire, and wide receiver Fred Coleman of the XFL Chicago Enforcers Eagles PHILADELPHIA — Wide receiver Charles Johnson, who caught a team-high seven touchdowns last season, was released Tuesday by the Philadelphia Eagles. "This was a very tough decision to make, however, we feel we need to get our young wide receivers an opportunity to step up and play" Eagles head coach Andy Reid said. "These young receivers have been working with (quarterback) Donovan (McNabb) and the rest of the quarterbacks since March 19 and based on that, we felt this decision was necessary" Johnson played well last year, catching 56 passes — second most on the Eagles. Philadelphia decided to release him following the acquisition of free agent James Thrash and the selection of Freddie MitcheU in the first round of Saturday's draft. ...Also Tuesday free-agent kick- Si- David Akers signed a one- year contract to remain with the Eagles. Saints NEW ORLEANS — Willie Jackson, who caught three touchdown passes in New Orleans' playoff victory over St. Louis last season, has agreed to a free agent deal that would keep hjm with the Saints for another season. ' The 6-foot-l, 212-pound Jackson caught 37 passes for 523 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 2000. He led the NFL in postseason reception yards with 267 and tied for the lead in postseason points with 24. Winners, losers of the NFL Draft Rams, Seahawks appear to have helped themselves most; Cowboys flounder By JOHN MCCLAIN Houston Chronicle When a team has multiple No. 1 draft choices, it is almost impossible, not to have an exceptional draft — unless you are Cincinnati and Arizona, the two worst franchises in the NFL, which have combined for one playoff appearance over the Analysis l^st lO years. St. Louis and Seattle were the only teams with more than one first-round pick this year. It is no surprise that the Rams and Seahawks cashed in more than other, teams. Kansas City Dallas and Tennessee were the only teams without a No. 1 pick. The Chiefs didn't have a pick until the third round. But the Chiefs and Titans appeared to have a plan that made sense. The Cowboys, however, didn't. They had Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter, an underclassman coming off a mediocre junior year, rated higher than other teams. They selected him in the second round. He is not going to make Tony Banks sweat over his starting job. The Cowboys should consider benching Banks and starting Carter as a rookie so they can compete for the second pick in the 2002 draft behind the Texans. Come to think of it, they might just be competing for that pick anyway Yet the Cowboys had to take a back seat to San Diego when it came to picking quarterbacks. Drew Brees was the second-rated prospect, but he wasn't in Michael Vick's stratosphere. Although he played only two seasons at Virginia Tech, Vick was the only prospect in this year's draft who was rated a potential superstar by a majority of scouts and personnel directors. Over the next decade, the Chargers may be reminded time and again how badly they blew it by trading the top pick to Atlanta because they didn't want to pay Vick the going rate. Kind of like the Colts when they traded John Elway to Denver. And Dan Reeves, who might be in his last year as an NFL coach, engineered the Vick and Elway deals. Here are the winners and losers and the best and worst of the two-day draft: Winners (team) St. Louis: The Rams, who allowed the most points in the league, used their first five picks, including three in the first round, on defensive players. DT Damione Lewis and SS Adam Archuleta should start as rookies. Add veteran ccrnerback Aeneas Williams, acquired from Arizona, and the Rams could be the most improved defensive team in the NFC, which isn't saying much. Seattle: An outstanding draft with potential rookie starters in WR Koren Robinson, G Steve Hutchinson and CB Ken Lucas. FB Heath Evans was the best player at his position. WR Alex Bannister is a huge talent who missed almost all of last season because of an injury QB Josh Booty's arm is as strong as Michael Vick's. Losers (team) Dallas: The most asked question around the NFL today: What were the Cowboys thinking? Then again, you don't have to look beyond their post- How they were drafted Selections in the 2001 National School Football League college draft. Five or more players drafted _ ... Florida State 9 '^"»'*'®" Wistionsin 8" Number of players selected by position M j'ami 7 Center MM 9 Nebrasi<a ;;i;"i;il """f Georgia 6 Guard j^H 13 ^Kansas State "IIII Offensive Tackle •JJI^H 19 .Notre. Pam? 6. Ohio State 6 Wide Receiver •^HHHI 34 Tfexas MM^^ Tight End HH 15 .Texas Christian 6 Michigan 5 Quarterback •• 11 Purdue 5 ' Running Back •••• 20 .tennessee 5 Washington 5 Kicker 13 Defensive End HHH 21 Conference ^^^^^^ Twenty or more players drafted Defensive Tackle ••••• 27 ^.g i— 40 Linebacker •••••• 27 Southeastern mmmH 40 I • r> I ^^^^^^^^^vn Big Twelve ••• 31 Defensive Back ••••ii^KS p\^^.^^_^ 0 ^ 24 Punter | 2 Atlantic Coast 21 SOURCE: Compiled from AP wire reports Jimmy Johnson drafts to find out the answer. Kansas City: The Chiefs didn't have a first-round pick because they acquired QB Trent Green. They didn't have a second-round pick because they hired coach Dick Vermeil. Green's not worth the 12th pick in the first round, but it was him, Trent Dilfer or Steve Beuerlein. In other words, they were desperate. Winners (individual) Mississippi KB Deuce McAllister: No one expected him to be selected by New Orleans. The best prospects usually go to the worst teams. McAllister is joining a Super Bowl contender. Yes, there is that little matter of Ricky Williams playing in front of him. For now. McAllister, an outgoing, popular player who is staying close to home, will be the fan favorite over Williams, who continues to infuriate the team, fans and media with his antics. Texas DT Casey Hampton: No one had him projected in the first round but the Steelers because they are the only team that continues to play a 3-4 exclusively Hampton will play on the nose, and he should play for years. He will iDe a big hit in Pittsburgh. Florida State QB Chris Weinke: Yes, he will be a 29-year-old rookie, but he couldn't be going to a better team in Carolina. Jeff Lewis is the starting quarterback, but he has thrown only 55 passes in five seasons as a backup. Don't be surprised if Weinke is starting at some point as a rookie. Florida OT Kenyatta Walker: Many draft predictions had him going to Cincinnati on the fourth pick, but the Buccaneers traded up to get him. They're planning to move him from right to left tackle. Instead of playing for a perennial loser, he is going to a Super Bowl contender. Wisconsin KB Michael Bennett: He should have spent a lot of time on his knees over the last two days. Imagine stepping into that Minnesota offense with Daunte Culpepper, Randy Moss and Oris Carter. And he is faster than Robert Smith, the back he is replacing. AP Losers (individual) Falcons QB Chris Chandler: He won't go out of his way to help groom Michael Vick, but don't expect him to be around for more than a season. Texas OT Leonard Davis and Missouri DE Justin Smith. (And everyone else drafted by the Cardinals and Bengals. Our condolences.) Iowa State QB Sage Rosenfels: The Redskins' fourth-round pick has a lot of potential, but he has to play with Jeff George. Best drafts with a No. 1 pick Buffalo: In his first draft since being fired by Pittsburgh, general manager Tom Donahoe again proved why he is one of the best in the league. With 12 selections, he added talent in several areas. CB Nate Clements and DE Aaron Schobel should start as rookies. New coach Gregg Williams wants to employ a big back like Tennessee's Eddie George. Travis Henry was added to a mix that includes An- towain Smith, Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris, all of whom weigh at least 225 pounds. Detroit: Matt Millen is off to a fast start. (Not bad for a television analyst.) OT Jeff Backus and C Dominic Raiola were rated second and first at their positions. DT Shaun Rogers is going to be a steal at the bottom of the first round. If he recovers from ankle surgery as his doctors insist he will, he will play like a first-round pick. QB Mike McMahon could eventually challenge Charlie Batch for the starting job. LB Jason Glenn is coming off an injury but should compete for a starting job. Worst draft with a No. 1 picic Indianapolis: Yes, WR Reggie Wayne does have outstanding hands, but Peyton Manning can throw only one football at a time. The Colts need^ ed defense and more defense. Four of their seven picks were defensive players. They needed seven for seven. Thanks for the memories Packers general manager Ron Wolf and 49ers president Bill Walsh oversaw their last drafts. They are two of the best personnel men in league his­ tory Walsh is already in the Pro Football HaU of Fame; Wolf should be. Imagine the pressure on their replacements — Mike Sherman (Packers) and Terry Donahue. Sad song RB Ja'Mar Toombs left Texas A&M a year early He said he wanted to earn money to provide for his family After Toombs showed up at the Indianapolis scouting combine weighing 282 pounds, teams stayed away from him, even though he was down to 258 at the Aggies' private workout. Now he is an undrafted free agent looking to prove everyone wrong. lUlost improved Not only did the Seahawks have an exceptional draft, but they had already added DTs John Randle and Chad Eaton, LB Levon Kirkland and FS Marcus Robertson to their defense and QB Matt Hasselbeck to their offense. Not only did the Buccaneers get OT Kenyatta Walker in the first round, but they already added QB Brad Johnson to their offense and DE Simeon Rice to their defense. They also may sign veteran OT Richmond Webb. All in the family Chattanooga WR Richmond Flowers III, a Jaguars draftee, actually graduated from Duke and went to the Moccasins for graduate school. He caught 86 passes for 1,035 yards. His grandfather — Richmond Flowers Sr. — was the attorney general in Alabama who fought for civil rights against former governor George Wallace. Richmond Flowers Jr. was a receiver for the Cowboys. Best dressed Texas OT Leonard Davis (6-6,370) showed up at NFL draft headquarters wearing a custom-made suit. His coat was a size 56. Davis was the second pick, the highest offensive lineman selected since St. Louis used the top pick on OT Orlando Pace in 1997. Worst dressed Missouri DE Justin Smith was one of seven top prospects invited to draft headquarters. He was the only one who showed up without a suit. He didn't even bring a tie. Even though Smith grew up on a farm, there was no excuse showing up in jeans and a sport coat. Prime time II CB Deion Sanders, who is playing baseball, may be on his way out in Washington. But the Redskins found his replacement in more ways than one. Mississippi State CB Fred Smoot, projected to go in the first round, went to the Redskins in the second round. Not only can he cover like wallpaper, he already is a first-team All-Pro trash talker. Should fit right in with owner Dan Snyder. Smartest player Stanford DE Willie Howard, Minnesota's second-round pick, scored a 42 (out of 50) on the Wonderlic test the scouting combines gave to more than 300 prospects. The test is used to evaluate intelligence. Gone but not forgotten What do OT Leonard Davis, DT Casey Hampton and DT Shaun Rogers have in common? Yes, each was drafted in the first two rounds, but that's not the correct answer. All were recruited by former Longhorns coach John Mackovic. TGOLF The Tiger-down affect: more U.S. Open spots Woods' play in majors has created seven additional openings By DOUG FERGUSON Tiie Associated Press Television ratings and higher purses are not the only areas where Tiger Woods has made a discernible impact on golf. His success in the biggest tournaments has created seven additional spots for players trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. The U.S. Golf Association awards exemptions to U.S. Open champions of the past 10 years, winners of the other majors the past five years and the current holder of The Players Championship. Woods has won the Masters twice, the U.S. Open, British Open and the PGA Championship twice since 1996, and he won the Players in March. That's seven extra spots that will be available during the final round of qualifying to complete the 156-player field. Woods qualifies in 11 of the 17 categories, the most in U.S. Open history The only categories that do not apply to him are U.S. Amateur champion; Senior Open winner; top 15 from the European tour's money list; top two from the Australasian tour and Japanese tour money lists; and top two from the European tour money list through May 28. Meanwhile, the top two from the Australasian tour money list — Aaron Baddeley and Peter Lonard — still have to qualify because of a provision that they be ranked at least 75th in the world ranking when the season ended. On the Japanese tour, both Shingo Katayama and Torn Taniguchi were in the top 75 when that season ended and will be exempt from qualifying. A tribute to Winnie Several years ago, the late Winnie Palmer protested plans to commercially develop a 26- acre tract near Latrobe, Pa., that offered a sweeping vista of the basilica and campus of St. Vincent College. "She rued the day that might happen," longtime Palmer spokesman Doc Giffin said. That's won't be a problem. Arnold Palmer bought the land two months ago, and last week Gov. Tom Ridge announced a $500,000 grant to help develop the land into the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve. "Winnie would be very pleased about this and with what we intend to create on this land," said Palmer, who plans to raise $6 million for the project. Mrs. Palmer died of cancer in November 1999. The land was crossed by the British army during the Revolutionary War, and a historic blockhouse still sits among the trees and brush beside the Monastery Run creek. The reserve will be used for hiking and recreation, and by St. Vincent for conservation and environmental education. The grant was part of $30 million in aid for the "Growing Greener" program, the largest ever in Pennsylvania for environmental work. "This grant will help make not only Winnie's dream come true, but also the dreams of the young people and families who will have a natural park to call their own," Palmer said. Presidential tour During a business trip to South Africa last week. Jack Nicklaus got a sneak preview of The Links Course at the Pan- court Hotel, where he will captain the American team in next year's Presidents Cup. He liked what he saw. He just wasn't sure where he was. "You have the feel that you're either in Ireland or Scotland, but you're in South Africa," Nicklaus said. "I've seen a lot of people attempt to capture the Scottish look outside Scotland, but never have I see it done better than it is done here at Fancourt." That's a compliment to Gary Player, who designed the course and will oppose Nicklaus as captain of the International team. Golf's yogi Fred Couples might be the closest thing the PGA Tour has to a Yogi Berra. After a 68 in the first round of the Houston Open, Couples was asked if he was determined to get his game back to where it was. "Where it was is the ultimate goal," he said. "And if you've never been there, you don't know where it is." Tiger for gold? The World Amateur Golf Council, recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the official federation for golf, has submitted a bid for gold as part of the 2008 Olympics. If approved, the event would be open to all professionals, meaning Tiger Woods could compete for a gold medal at age 32. Woods said last year golf already has the four majors and doesn't need the Olympics, al­ though the bid has been supported by players such as Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros. Golf in the Olympics also would mean drug testing, but Royal & Ancient secretary Peter Dawson said Tuesday he does not see that as a problem and has no plans to implement a random test during the British Open this year. McCormack honored Mark McCormack, whose handshake in 1960 with Arnold Palmer was the first step toward a massive sports agency is this year's recipient of the PGA Distinguished Service Award. McCormack, founder and chairman of IMG, will be honored on the eve of the PGA Championship in Atlanta. 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